2024 Rivian R1S Review | PCMag

Rivian’s all-electric R1S SUV (starting at $74,900) builds on the success of the R1T pickup with extensive battery range, nimble handling, a comfortable, three-row interior, and ample cargo space. It also benefits from being one of the few seven-passenger electric SUVs on the road and includes a practical set of tech innovations. We wish Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were aboard, but the Rivian R1S is nonetheless an ideal people hauler for busy families and our Editors’ Choice winner for electric SUVs.

Pricing and Trims: All-Wheel Drive Across the Board

The Rivian R1S is currently available in a single trim, the Adventure Package. However, you can choose between three all-wheel drive (AWD) systems (Dual‑Motor, Performance Dual‑Motor, and Quad‑Motor) and four different battery sizes (Standard, Standard+, Large, and Max). Upgrades to the drive system and battery pack respectively get you more power and a longer driving range. Otherwise, the most significant difference between these options is that the Quad-Motor version goes with two motors per axle compared with one per axle for the Dual-Motor trims. The chart below covers all the battery and drive configurations. Some battery packs aren’t available for all drive systems.

Both the Dual-Motor and Quad-Motor variants with the Large battery partially qualify for the federal EV tax credit, which could help offset their cost. I tested the latter variant. Standard exterior features include a cargo-area air compressor, dual front tow hooks, and a power liftgate, while the interior has perforated vegan leather seats and a heated steering wheel. The front and rear seats are both heated, though only the front offers 10-way power adjustment and ventilation. As for tech, you get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16-inch dashboard touch screen, Bluetooth for phone and audio connectivity, a built-in dash cam (SD card required), built-in music streaming services, connected navigation, a detachable Bluetooth speaker in the center console, an FM HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

My test vehicle has the All-Terrain Upgrade package ($3,600), which includes 20-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, a compact spare tire, and a reinforced underbody shield. With a delivery charge of $1,800, the total sticker price comes to $97,400.

Design: Distinctive Looks and Lots of Cargo Space

The R1S shares the R1T’s blocky exterior design, distinct wraparound front and rear light bars, twin elliptic headlamps, and vibrant yellow accents on the brand badges and brake calipers.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The seat stitching reuses that same yellow color, while Rivian’s diamond logo appears throughout the cabin. Environmentally friendly interior materials, including a 100% recycled microfiber headliner, rough-grain ash wood elements, and woven Chilewich floor mats, give the cabin an eco-chic feel.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The chart below shows how the Rivian R1S compares with the Tesla Model X in terms of seat and cargo space. The Rivian is a better choice for third-row passengers, though the Model X comes out ahead for second-row riders.

The R1S offers substantially more cargo space in both its trunk and frunk than the Tesla. Just keep in mind that you don’t get anything like the Gear Tunnel of Rivian’s pickup due to obvious design differences.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

Performance: Steady On and Off the Road

Power specs for the R1S vary depending on the drive system you choose. The chart below details what type of performance you can expect. For comparison, the base AWD Tesla Model X (starting at $77,990) offers 670 horsepower (hp) and a 0-60 mile per hour (mph) time of 3.8 seconds. Meanwhile, the Plaid Edition Model X (starting at $92,990) offers 1,020hp and a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds. If you purely care about speed, the Model X wins.

The drive system you select also determines what driving modes are available. The Dual-Motor version gets All-Purpose, All-Terrain, and Snow modes, while the Performance Dual-Motor tier adds Sport and Soft Sand options. The Quad-Motor AWD I tested has four more: Conserve, Drift, Rally, and Rock Crawl. Sport mode catapults the 7,000-pound-plus R1S from 0 to 60mph in a bracing 3.0 seconds, while also lowering the ride height and dialing back the electronic stability control.

I didn’t get to rock crawl or drift the R1S during my week of testing, but I did drive the vehicle on canyon roads, city streets, freeways, and mild dirt trails around San Diego. The R1S has the same off-road abilities as the R1T pickup. The standard air-spring suspension system provides up to 15 inches of ground clearance, while the electric motor at each wheel on the Quad Motor version I tried supplies maximum traction on a range of surfaces. For everyday driving, the vehicle’s hefty battery pack helps keep it firmly planted, while four-wheel torque vectoring allows the big SUV to handle like a much smaller, sportier sedan.

You can’t turn off the regenerative braking feature entirely, which might disappoint drivers who want to emulate the deceleration of a gas-powered car. In any case, you can choose between Standard and High modes, the latter of which provides a one-pedal driving feel.

Oddly, I noticed a lot of suspension noise when I drove on some surfaces, particularly at low speeds. That’s not something I’ve heard from other EVs, including the R1T pickup. It interrupts the otherwise quiet driving experience.

As for towing, the R1S can haul up to 7,700 pounds. That falls well short of the 11,000-pound capacity of the R1T but easily surpasses the 5,000-pound max towing of the Model X.

Battery and Charging: Extensive Range and Support

The EPA-estimated range for the R1S is calculated in part by the battery pack and wheel size you choose. For instance, the base, Dual-Motor option with 21-inch wheels gets 270 (Standard), 315 (Standard+), 352 (Large), or 400 (Max) miles per charge. My test Quad-Motor model with 20-inch all-terrain wheels offers a driving range of 274 miles and a combined MPGe of 63.

For comparison, the base Model X offers up to 335 miles of driving range per charge for an MPGe of around 102, while the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ SUV (starting at $104,400) gets 352 miles per charge for an MPGe of 96. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2024 Kia EV9 Light (starting at $54,900) gets 230 miles of range for an MPGe of 88. All of these SUVs are comparable in size with the R1S, though none can quite match the range of its Max battery pack.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The R1S has a Combined Charging System (CCS) port behind a motorized door just ahead of the front wheel well on the driver’s side. Rivian is building out its Adventure Network of Level 3 DC fast chargers that provide 200kW of power for Rivian owners only. It’s also constructing Rivian Waypoints with Level 2, 240V chargers that operate at up to 11.5kW and are open to other EVs that use a J1772 plug. The company plans to install more than 3,500 fast chargers at around 600 sites in the US and Canada, as well as 10,000 Waypoints that use 100% renewable energy. According to Rivian, 71 Adventure Network sites with a total of 433 chargers and 180 Waypoints sites with a total of 482 chargers are currently in operation.

Rivian also offers North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters so that owners can charge at select Tesla Supercharger locations. (Just beware of cranky Tesla owners). Like many other EV brands, Rivian will switch to NACS starting in 2025.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

At a Level 3 DC fast charger within the Rivian Adventure Network operating at 200kWh, the R1S can add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes. Under the same circumstances, it takes 42 minutes to go from a 10% to 80% charge. A Level 2, 240V charger operating at up to 11.5kW at a Rivian Waypoint can supply up to 25 miles of range per hour and takes the battery from 0% to 100% in 14 hours. The truck also comes with a charging cord that provides up to 16 miles per hour when charged via a 240V outlet or a few miles via a standard 120V outlet.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

In testing, I got close to the EPA-estimated range as well as Rivian’s stated charging times at Level 1 and Level 2 stations. I also find it helpful that the R1S can show reliability scores for public fast chargers.

Infotainment: Large Screen, Small Icons

The infotainment system is about average compared with other vehicles at this price, though its connectivity is somewhat lacking. Its 16-inch dashboard touch screen responds quickly to inputs, but the icons along the bottom for climate control, navigation, media, drive modes, and more are so small that you have to turn your eyes away from the road to tap them. Fortunately, sub-menus within these sections feature large, user-friendly buttons with clear graphics. Hands-free Alexa allows you to relay audio commands, operate the powered liftgate, and ask other types of questions with your voice.

Rivian doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Instead, the R1S has onboard apps for Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, and TuneIn. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream from other apps (Apple Music, et al.) and works well.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The Rivian app (available for Android and iOS) lets you remotely lock and unlock doors, operate the climate control, check the vehicle’s battery and charging status, and more. The app also works as a key. My test vehicle came with a waterproof wristband (in place of a standard key fob) that lets you lock or unlock the doors and start the vehicle; you use the app to activate the band.

Safety and Extras: Cameras Keep a Watchful Eye

As with the R1T pickup, the R1S SUV has exterior cameras that can capture and record activity around the vehicle. An animated, camcorder-carrying Yeti appears on the dashboard screen to let interlopers know they’re under surveillance. When the vehicle is in motion, these exterior cameras serve as a surround-view system and enable driver assists such as front-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure assist. The cameras also make the Driver+ feature possible, which allows for automatic steering, braking, and acceleration on certain highways. Note that you must keep your hands on the wheel for this mode.

Also like the pickup, the SUV has a Camping Mode that uses the air suspension to level the vehicle and provide a non-angled sleeping surface in the cargo area when the second- and third-row seats are folded down. Camping Mode also has a Stay Off setting that turns off all 12V and 120V outlets, the infotainment display, and other power-draining electronics. Meanwhile, the Stay On setting allows you to use the climate control system, infotainment screen, and other features.

An Exceptional Electric SUV With Space for All

The Rivian R1S follows in the footsteps of the R1T by offering a rugged aesthetic and excellent utility. It performs with poise on every road surface we tried, is available with a range of different battery packs and drive systems, and has ample room for people and gear. It’s a bit pricey once you factor in certain upgrades, but the Rivian R1S still earns our Editors’ Choice award for three-row SUVs thanks to its unbeatable range and spaciousness. It’s an ideal truck for group excursions across town or into the woods.